During one of her performances at a camp, Édith Piaf was photographed with 120 prisoners as a keepsake. After returning to Paris, she handed the photo to an underground workshop, where each prisoner’s face was copied, enlarged, and placed on forged identity cards.On her next visit to the camp, Piaf hid the fake documents in a suitcase with a false bottom. Using these, she managed to smuggle out several prisoners, disguising them as her musicians, while others successfully escaped later with the same forged papers.
Some very rare facts about Édith Piaf's story: Piaf had a Jewish lover during the Occupation, which some biographers consider a personal form of resistance. Her relationship with him was kept secret due to the dangers posed by the Nazi regime. Édith Piaf's relationship with Norbert Glanzberg, a Jewish pianist and composer, is a fascinating aspect of her life during the German occupation. Glanzberg, who had fled to France from Poland in the 1930s, became Piaf's lover and musical collaborator. Their relationship was kept secret due to the dangers posed by the Nazi regime.Glanzberg composed two of Piaf's most famous songs, "La Vie en Rose" and "Hymne à l'amour (If You Love Me, Really Love Me)," which became iconic pieces in her repertoire. Despite the risks, Piaf continued to perform and support Glanzberg, showcasing her defiance against the occupiers.Their partnership not only contributed to Piaf's musical success but also highlighted her personal form of resistance against the oppressive regime. This aspect of her life adds another layer to her legacy as a symbol of hope and resilience during one of history's darkest periods.